American Scary review:
In the interest of full disclosure, I recently ended my working relationship with Remo D’s Manor of Mayhem. This was our own local horror host program featuring classic movies in the public domain presented by Remo. I’ve been a frequent guest on his program, but chose to leave the show for personal reasons. I enjoyed the work I did, I respect the work that Remo and the Horror Host Underground continues to do, and I have been looking forward to this retrospective look at the American Horror Host in pop culture for quite some time. So, maybe I’ll wind up coming off as a shill for this film but American Scary manages to capture an experience that many fans of the genre have shared and continue to share to this day.
As a young boy, I’d stay up late to watch USA and Rhonda Shear, Commander USA, and even Gilbert Gottfried as they presented movies that were often terrible but also fun and a little scary. I would also catch Joe Bob Briggs in various incarnations, and virtually ate up his books at our local library. Various “Saturday Matinee” shows would pop up and go away, presenting Horror, Kung Fu, Westerns and all various and sundry types of films. Sometimes they even presented a movie in 3-D!!! But before my time, before the internet and the influx of Public Access television, the airwaves were ruled by the likes of Bob Wilkins and Zacherley. Horror Hosts presented movies, usually in a late night time slot, and would goof just before and after commercial breaks in order to provide information or lighten the mood. Viewers were hooked and entertained for generations! American Scary takes a look back at the phenomenon of hosting horror and late night movies, giving the viewer an inside look at courtesy footage and in depth interviews with the hosts and fans.
Among current horror hosts, Professor Anton Griffin really stands out as an absolutely fantastic communicator in this movie. His enthusiasm is infectious, child-like, and his love for what he does comes out in every interview. He’s also a host with a lot of knowledge of the films he shows and the history of other hosts who came before him. Other hosts are given an opportunity to talk about their own experiences and the influences on their careers, and just about every aspect of the Horror Host is explored; It’s roots and evolution through the generations, hosts through the years, and even a look at where technology is taking the phenomena in years to come. They also discuss the failure of local television markets to capitalize on the "Local Celebrity" aspect of bringing in their own horror hosts.
There are a few extras on the DVD, including footage from a marriage ceremony that had taken place during a convention. Two hosts were married, in full costume, with all the guests present in their own costume personas. Another host, Carpathian, presided over the service and gave one of the most beautiful sermons regarding the nature of “forever” that I’ve ever heard. It was an absolutely awesome moment to include and really brought the whole experience of watching this DVD to a pleasant finish for me. And, on a personal note, I absolutely LOVE Carpathian's costume and mask. I have no idea how he designed it to work so perfectly... amazing
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